For more than six weeks, Avonte Oquendo, a 14-year-old autistic boy, has been lost in the labyrinth of avenues and thoroughfares that is New York City, garnering national attention to the issue of autistic elopement.Thanks to the efforts of a helpful citizen, Siskiyou County avoided a similar incident. In late July of this year, 13-year-old Kanyon Crook wandered from his home in Lake Shastina and came precariously close to serious injuries and potential death."He'd never left the house before," Kathryn Crook told the Daily News.After leaving the house, Kanyon drifted toward Big Springs Road, which has a speed limit of 55 mph in parts. He was spotted by realtor Melissa Joyce."He has the mind of a 3-year-old but the body of a 13-year-old," Crook said. "He is verbal, but it's just that. He can tell you his name, but he can't give his phone number or address. That's his danger."Unable to reach Kanyon's parents by phone, Joyce stayed with the boy, keeping him from rambling by talking calmly with him and letting him play games on her phone."I purposely brought my cellphone with me. When I was showing homes to Jon (Crook) and Kathryn, her sons would always come along, and to keep them entertained – especially Kanyon – I allowed them to play a game they enjoyed on the phone," Joyce said.Searching for her son, Kathryn Crook spied the two on the side of the road and pulled over, ending that short, yet terrifying, moment in her life.She said that Joyce was with her son for about 20 minutes before she found them. In that time, he could easily have reached Big Springs Road, potentially injuring himself, causing a traffic accident or worse."I don't want to think about what would have happened had she not been there," Kathryn said. "Now I'm much more nervous every time he goes outside."

AwarenessA study published in the magazine Pediatrics states that 49 percent of caretakers surveyed reported their child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder "had attempted to elope at least once after age 4 years."Within that sample size, 24 percent were in danger of drowning and 65 percent in danger of traffic.Caretakers also reported high-stress levels and little support during elopement incidents.The study's authors conclude, "These results highlight the urgent need to develop interventions to reduce the risk of elopement, to support families coping with this issue, and to train child care professionals, educators, and first responders who are often involved when elopements occur."Autism Wandering Awareness Alerts Response Education's website states an autistic child will elope for several reasons."A person with autism will wander to either get to something or away from something. Like dementia, persons with autism gravitate towards items of interest," it says.In Kanyon's case, his pursuit was the Medford Barnes & Noble."By the time he had gotten where he'd gotten," Kathryn Crook said, "he'd worn blisters on the inside of both of his feet, and it didn't even occur to him to go home. He would have just kept walking till his feet were bleeding, I think."Additional reasons for autistic elopement can include trying to escape sounds or sights of certain environments or to flee from unfamiliar places.AWARE suggests six tips to take to help prevent elopement and limit the stress and danger associated with wandering incidents.Its tips for securing the home include deadbolt locks and fencing the yard, but also more creative solutions – for example, adhering stop signs to exits such as gates, doors and windows.The organization recommends considering a tracking device and ID bracelet, although these suggestions will depend on the child, family and situation.Kathryn Crook said ID bracelets are not an option for Kanyon as they cause him distress, and he'll attempt to remove the foreign article, even to the point of chewing it off.With drowning a major concern, the website advises teaching the child to swim but adds that does not mean guaranteed safety. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that supervision and barriers are essential, and neighbors with pools should be aware of these safety precautions.Kathryn Crook said her son has an individualized learning plan, which includes working on recognizing traffic signs and crossing streets properly – important considering the high risk of traffic incidents involved in elopements.Finally, the website says caretakers of autistic children should alert neighbors and first responders."Don't be shy about it," Kathryn Crook said, adding that since her son's elopement, she's informed neighbors and first responders.AWARE suggests providing the names, addresses and phone numbers of the caretaker and autistic person, as well as a physical description if not a photograph.Other information can include the child's likes, dislikes, fears, triggers, de-escalation techniques and best communication methods."You just don't know how an autistic child will react, especially if they are nonverbal and you are a stranger to them," Kathryn Crook noted. Joyce was fortunate enough to know Kanyon's likes thanks to her past experience with the boy.Alerting neighbors can also prevent cases of misidentity, such as the incident reported by NBC in which an off-duty Camden, N.J., police officer shot an autistic man and his caregiver. The officer said he thought his house was being burglarized.Yreka Police Chief Brian Bowles said his department has not responded to many calls about autistic elopement. However, he did note that YPD has dealt much more frequently with wanderings associated with Alzheimer's disease.Loved ones and caretakers can take many of the same precautions regarding Alzheimer's wanderings as autism, such as securing the home and providing neighbors and first responders with vital information.A list of support and information websites on autism and elopement are available at www.awaare.org."I am just very thankful and blessed that I could be there to help that day," Joyce said.